Envelope



Feb. 20, 1934. H. B, DYGERT ET AL 1,948,290

ENVELOPE Filed Aug. l1, 1932 l v NroRs 6690010 Enf/w- /VE 6'. graal/f5 Patented Feb. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ENVELOPE Application August 11, 1932. Serial No. 628,338

5 Claims.

In contradistinction to the present invention it is old in the art to provide envelopes which when closed for mailing are so constructed that portions attached thereto may be withdrawn for the purpose of being removed or torn off, and in which in some instances the withdrawn portion may be used as an address portion, to be gummed upon the remaining portion which may then be used as a return envelope. The present invention does not relate to return envelopes, but has specinc objects in View as will appear herefrom.

Heretofore it has also been proposed to provide envelope blanks with a main or envelope body portion and'with a foldable extension portion, but in such cases it has usually been the object to so fold the parts of the blank together that the envelope ready for mailing is entirely sealed up over and around the contents which are not possible of inspection should that be desired by the postal authorities. The blank made according to the present invention is so designed and folded that the objects herein stated with respect to the improved envelope may be completely assured.

The envelope of the present invention has for its principal object an envelope which may be used either rst or second class (sealed) providing easy and convenient facilities for postal inspection at any time; providing a second class envelope, easily inspected, with all the outward appearance of a rst class envelope, free from open ends, tabs, tags, alternating sealing flaps, and from exposed unsealed gummed areas which in damp weather may damage other mail by sticking to the addressed portion and thereby destroying the address; providing in one unit, by the use of an integral portion composed of a plurality of folding sections, first or second class mailing folders or envelopes which may be made in one operation suitable for advertising, direct communication, instructions, directions, specifications, sales training, pep talks, contests, etc.: providing a first or second class envelope with such simplicity of design as to afford economical manufacture, convenient operation and e'lcient functioning as a mailing piece or envelope: and providing an article which may be priinted in full, die-cut, folded and sealed with less opera-` tions than heretofore has been the custom, delivered to the user in envelope form with his ordered text already printed within, ready for inserts, final sealing, stamping and mailing.

These being among the objects of the present invention, the same consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts (Cl. 22S-92.7)

to be hereinafter described and then claimed with reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating several embodiments of the present invention and wherein Fig. 1 is a plan representing one form of blank according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an envelope made and sealed, ready for delivery, from the blank shown in Fig. 1, one of the aps being indicated in broken lines as open so that with the remaining parts of the envelope the finished article is represented in standard envelope form as delivered from the manufacturer;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an intermediate stage in the manufacture of the improved envelope shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section of the envelope shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section showing how the envelope may be opened for inspection, if desired;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank for anotherV form of envelope;

Fig. 7 is a back view of an envelope completed from the blank of Fig. 6, the broken lines indicating the flap which is used for final sealing as opened;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse section of the envelope shown in Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a plan of a blank according to a third form of the invention: and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing in full lines a sealed envelope made from the blank of Fig. 9, the side walls of the envelope being flexed from normal position for the sake of a clearer appreciation of the invention, while the broken lines indicate one of the aps in open position so as to represent the envelope of this type as delivered by the manufacturer.

Referring to Figs. 1, 6 and 9 the various forms or designs of blanks for envelopes to be made according to the present invention are composed of thin sheets of paper or other suitable flexible material. In Fig. 1 the blank is shown as comprising an envelope-body portion 15 of rectangular form and of any desired dimensions, and the same may be either oblong or square. A side flap 16 is provided and also end flaps 17, 18.

A rectangular section 19 is connected with the envelope-body portion 15, and with it are connected successive sections 20, 21, and 22 preferably of the same dimensions, whereby an extension portion is provided extending away from the adjacent edge of the body portion 15, and preferably of corresponding width to the bodyv portion 15. The last section 22 is provided with a flap 23, which is located at that end of the blank opposite to the side flap 16 of the envelope. in the course of manufacture the tvvo flaps lo, 23 are provided with gum or adhesive as indicated in Fig. 1. Hence the broken lines 24, 25, 25, 27 and 24a indicate lines along which the blank may be folded, and if desired lines of perforations may be formed at the lines 24, 24a.

`An envelope made lfrom theblank shown in Fig. l is illustrated in Figs. 2 and d and in theseV views as Well as in Figs. 3 and 5 the saine reference numerals are used as in connection with the blank of Fig. 1, for the sake of easy comprehension. In Fig. 3 the envelope is shown in a partial stage of manufacture, from vwhich it will be seen that the connected sections 19, 20, 2l and 22 are alternately folded in opposite directions so as to provide folds corresponding with the fold lines 24, 25, 26 and 27, shown in Fig. l. In other Words, the section 19 and the body portion l5 are folded together to form a fold 24, the s ctions 19 and 2O are folded togetherto forno a reverse fold 25 at the opposite edge of the body portion 15, the sec tions 20 and 2l are folded together at the fold 26 at the edge of the body portion l5 which has the fold 24, and the sections 21 and 22 are folded together to form aV reverse fold 27 corresponding with the reverse fold 25. Hence there are at least ttvo folds at one edge of the body portion 15 and at least two folds at the opposite edge of the body portion l5, so that accordion folds are produced. The end iiaps 17, 18, are then turned down over the exposed edges of the folded sec Itions and the side flap 16 is sealed over the end flaps 17, 18 so as to provide an envelope with sealed down flaps 16, 1'? and 18 as shown in Fig. 2 and With an open side flap 23 as indicated in Vbroken lines in said figure. This is the condition in which the envelope is delivered to the customer by the manufacturer.

A Written communication or the like which would reduire rst class postage may be placed in the pocket provided underne'ath the flap 23, the iiap then closed and sealed and the article mailed after the required address Iand rst class postage had been placed on the envelope. lUsually the manufacturer Will at least place the return address on the body portion of Vthe envelope.

Again referring to Fig. 2, as shown it Avvill be seen that inasmuch as lthe folded edge 26 is exthe envelope body the foldable sections connected with the body portion 15 and the sealed nap 23 about as shown in Fig. 5 so as'to expose the surfaces of the sections and the other contents of the envelope, if any. in so doing a closed loop is formed which is continuous with the envelope "f1 body. This inspection would not be resorted to unless the envelope bore second class postage. and the inspector can readily `inspect the contents for first class matter and then conveniently and quickly return into the envelope body the l' pulled cut sections. It is obvious that thefextension sections may have any desirable printed matter thereon.

Referring to Fig. 6 there is shown specically w a blank for an envelope of a different design ernpioying'the saine principles of the invention, but

providing an envelope for the mailing of invoices. bills, requisitions, orders and communications, and employing a window to take advantage of the bill head name and address Without having to i re-type the same on the envelope, the envelope the flaps when manufacturing the article.

'design to accord with the use to which the intended envelope made therefrom is to be put. The

parts are folded together in the same assembled relation as in the construction shown in Figs. 2 and e, but inasmuch as the end flaps 32 are quite short to provide a Window area between them, the similarly short ap 33 is not gurnrned throughout its length., but only at spots 34 at the ends of the flap. The completed article is illustrated in Figs. 7 and S, from which it will be clear vthat `vvhen the end iiaps 32 are foldedfinwardly and sealed with the side flap 33, the spots of adhesive 34 serve as the connecting medium. In this form of the invention the Window 31 will be located in the relatively large side flap 39 at the back of the envelope. En Figs. '7 and 8 the same reference numerals are used as for corresponding portions of the blank of Fig.

6, for convenience of understanding.

Vl'teferring to'Fig. 9 a design for a blankrfor an,

other type of envelope according to the present invention'is illustrated. 1n this figure the con-- nected foldable sections are indicated collectively by the reference numeral 35 and at one end of the connected sections 'an envelope body portion 36 is provided, which in turn is provided with a gummed side flap 37 and summed end flaps 38, 39. The other end of the connected foldable sections is provided with a flap which does not have to be guinmed.A This form of the invention is adapted to be made into an envelope such as shown in Fig. 10, thus providing a sample envelope, pay envelope or the like. This, for the reason that the flaps are of different design suitable for such type of envelopes, the manufactured enve lope as shown in Fig. 1'0 having its side flap 37 sealed onto the side flap 40, and the end flap 38 sealed onto saidtWo flaps. The manufacturer leaves open the flap 39 as shown in broken linesk in Fig. l0 so that it may be sealed down by the customer after the desired contents have been inf serted in the pocket underneath the said ilap. In

this form of the invention, the flap 39 which is left open `by the manufacturer has its fold line extending at right-angles to the fold lines of the folded sections Within the envelope, thereby eX- posing at one edge of the envelope the appropriate fold 41 of the folded sections, so that these sections may be pulled out and inspected in the event that the envelope carries second-class postage. The envelope of Fig. 10 will when manufactured and thereafter sealed b'e flat of course, but

said figure the side Walls of the envelope are shown as bowed out by exing them so as tomore clearly expose to View the fold 41 which is to be engaged by the ngers When the article is Vto be inspected.

Referring tothe several types of envelopes acel cording to` the present invention, it will be noted that after the process of printing has been done, each envelope is mechanically folded and sealed on three sides, preferably by a suitable envelope machine. The envelope thusV formed may be sealed on the fourth side by the user for either Ico ric

first or second class mail, in which latter case speedy inspection may be made by the postal authorities without breaking the seal.

In short, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that with a multifold, sealed, first or second class envelope of this nature, an article is provided which will save time; save money in the cost of manufacture; save in the cost of wire stitched booklets, pamphlets, etc. now printed by additional operations; saving in the mail order, advertising and billing departments of concerns mailing such pieces or matter thousands of dollars in postage; and will provide the greatest convenience to the above concerns in saving the stufling of several items into an envelope according to the present day custom. Such an envelope will also save the time of postal employees by its readily available method of inspecting the entire contents.

Obviously, the invention is susceptible of more or less modification without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the scope of the appended claims.

What We claim as new is- 1. An envelope of the class described, comprising a body portion, end and side flaps on certain edges thereof, and a plurality of fold-connected sections, at least four in number or a greater even number of sections, connected by a fold with another edge of the body portion, the sections arranged in sequence and the folds alternately in opposite directions to constitute accordion folds, and a flap foldably connected with the outermost section, the flap-s being mutually sealed together with the exception of one of them which is left open, and the envelope being open at an edge parallel with the folds of the sections, at which open edge one of the intermediate foods of the sections is exposed for a possible withdrawal thereby of the fold-connected sections from the envelope when all its flaps ar sealed, whereby to permit exposing for the inspection of both sides of all the sections, which may be reinserted to their original position without breaking the seals.

2. An envelope of the class described, comprising a body portion, end and side flaps on certain edges thereof, the side flap being of slightly less size than the body portion and serving as a back iap suitable for providing a window to the envelope, and a plurality of fold-connected sections, at least four in nuinber or a greater even number of sections, connected by a fold with that edge of the body portion opposite to the edge carrying the side or back flap, the sections arranged in sequence and the folds alternately in opposite directions to constitute accordion folds, and a iiap foldably connected with the outermost section, the liaps being mutually sealed together with the exception of one of them which is left open, and the envelope being open at an edge parallel with the folds of the sections, at which open edge one of the intermediate folds of the sections is exposed for a possible withdrawal thereby of the fold-connected sections from the envelope when all its fiaps are sealed, whereby to permit exposing for the inspection of both sides of all the sections, which may be reinserted to their original position without breaking the seals.

3. An envelope of the class described, comprising a body portion, a side ap and end flaps thereon, and a plurality of fold-connected sections, at least four in number or a greater even number of sections, connected by a fold with that edge of the body portion opposite to the edge carrying the side flap, the sections arranged in sequence and the folds alternately in opposite directions to constitute accordion folds, and a ap foldably connected with the outermost section, the flaps being mutually sealed together with the exception of one of the end flaps which is left open to provide a pay envelope or the like, and the envelope being open at an edge parallel with the folds of the sections, at which open edge one of the intermediate folds of the sections is exposed for a possible withdrawal thereby of the fold-connected sections from the envelope when all its flaps are sealed, whereby to permit exposing for the inspection of both sides of all the sections, which may be reinserted to their original position without breaking the seals.

Ll. A blank for an envelope and sheet extension, including a sheet of flexible material comprising at least an envelope-body portion having two sealing flaps, one on each of two rectangularly disposed edges of the body portion, and

an elongated sheet portion extending from a third edge of the body portion and divided into four sections, arranged in sequence along the length of the sheet portion and connected by folds which are successively the reverse of each other and the four sections thereby adapted to be foldable in opposite directions in succession, the section at the outer end of the sheet portion or extension having a sealing nap foldably connected therewith at its outer transverse edge, such folds being arranged so that when the blank is folded into an envelope, two of the folds and the four sections will be positioned inside of the envelope, and three of the folds positioned at one edge of the envelope, whereby when all of the naps are folded one on the other and sealed together at one side of the envelope, the sections will remain accessible for withdrawal at one edge of the envelope by the intermediate fold of the three folds at such edge.

5. A blank for an envelope and sheet extension, including a sheet of fiexible material comprising at least an envelope-body portion having aps, one on each of three edges of the body portion, an an elongated sheet portion extending from the remaining edge of the body portion and divided into four sections, arranged in sequence along the length of the sheet portion and connected by folds which are successively the reverse of each other and the four sections thereby opposite directions in adapted to be foldable in succession, the section at the outer end o-f the sheet portion or extension having a sealing flap foldably connected therewith at its outer transverse edge, such folds being arranged so that when the blank is folded into an envelope, two of the folds and the four sections will be positioned inside of the envelope, and three of the folds positioned at one edge of the envelope, whereby when all of the flaps are folded one on the other and sealed together at one side of the envelope, the sections will remain accessible for withdrawal at one edge of the envelope by the intermediate fold of the three folds at such edge.

HAROLD B. DYGERT. LYNE S. METCALFE. 

